June 7-8, 2012
University of Padova, Italy

Pentecostalism emerged on a global scale in the twentieth century as one of the most influential religious movements and the most important recent development in Christianity.

With its new styles of religious leadership, powerful communication strategies, and widespread urban proliferation, Pentecostalism is creating new social orders and religious spaces while reshaping cities into battlegrounds of spiritual warfare. Massive Pentecostal crusades and religious events are transforming the nature of contemporary religious experience in many parts of the world. With the power of their charisma, messages and promises of salvation, deliverance, healing, and prosperity, women and men pastors have been steadily gaining influence in social, urban, religious and political spheres and challenging the power of mainstream religions and governments.

The conference brings scholars from Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and the US together for a comparative analysis of the social, aesthetic and religious impact of Pentecostalism on global cities and societies. Plenary speakers include some of the leading thinkers in these areas. We are especially interested in papers reporting empirical research on the following topics:

-The power of communication: Pentecostalism, Leadership and New Media
- Pentecostalism and the reshaping of Urban Spaces
- Pentecostalism and Gender Politics.

Please submit a proposal of 300-500 words, including title and references, with a brief biographical note (max. 100 words) to vincenzo.pace@unipd.it and annalisa.butticci@unipd.it by March 1st 2012.

Notification of acceptance will be given by April 2nd, 2012. Conference attendance is free. We will cover the cost of accommodation as well as conference meals for selected speakers. Participants will need to cover their own costs of transportation. The closest airport to Padova is Venice, with frequent and good international connections.

Contact for questions: annalisa.butticci@unipd.it